Game



Aug. 21, 1962 M. 1. GLASS ETAL GAME 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 1, 1962 5 FE 5 5 5 I; 560M? m n C ox i e Z? M W 3 M Aug. 21, 1962 M. I. GLASS ETAL GAME 3 SheetsSheet 2 Filed Feb. 1, 1962 3 M M MQW Aug. 21, 1962 M. 1. GLASS ETAL GAME 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 1, 1962 MQRM/ ZAWQAQS M rates 3,050,307 GAME This invention relates to games and, more particularly, to a golf game wherein a simulated golfer is operated by a player to propel a golf ball into successive holes in a playing surface.

The principal object of the invention is to provide means for playing a game simulating golf wherein a toy figure can be used to propel a ball into successive holes in a playing surface disposed in various directions from the figure. An additional object of the invention is to provide a playing surface for a game simulating golf, having a ball propelling mechanism at the lowest point of the playing surface, with means for permitting the ball to return by gravity to this lowest point following its entry into any hole in the surface. Still another object of the invention is to provide a figure simulating a golfer which can be remotely controlled by a player to strike a ball with a force determined by the player, and including means under the control of the player for orienting the figure. Still another object of the invention is to provide a playing surface having a number of holes therein with a rotatable figure of a golfer mounted at the lowest point of the playing surface, this point being located substantially in the center of the playing surface, with means to operate the figure remotely so as to strike a ball with a selected force in a selected direction under the control of the player. Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, and accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top view of the game board and simulated golfer of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a slightly enlarged side view, partly in section, of the game board and part of the ball propelling mechanism of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 1, taken along line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged side view, partly in section, of the golfer shown in FIGURE 1, taken along line 3-3 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a rear view, partly in section, of the golfer shown in FIGURE 3, taken generally along line 44 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view of the golfer shown in FIGURE 3, taken along line 55 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6 is a view in perspective of the cord engaging apparatus for orienting the golfer shown in FIG- URES 2-5;

FIGURE 7 is a view, partly in section, taken along line 77 of FIGURE 1, showing the trophy mechanism of the invention;

FIGURE 8 is a partly broken away view, taken generally along line 8-8 of FIGURE 1, showing the paddle wheel mechanism mounted on the game board of the invention;

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged view taken along line 99 of FIGURE 1, showing the rocking bridge mounted on the game board of the invention; and

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged view taken along line 1010 of FIGURE 1, showing the chute mounted on the game board of the invention.

In FIGURE 1 there is illustrated generally the overall game showing a game board 10 on which is rotatably mounted a figure 12 representing a golfer. The figure 12 is mounted generally in the center of the game board surrounded by a plurality of holes 14 which penetrate FCQ the upper surface of the game board 10. These holes are generally equally spaced about the figure 12. The object of the game is to propel a ball 16 into successive holes, using movement of the figure 12 to propel the ball. As will be described below in greater detail, a number of obstacles are placed about the playing surface so as to create some dilficulty in the propelling of the ball into the various holes. As shown in FIGURE 1 there may be nine holes disposed at various points in the playing surface. Each of these holes is surrounded by an area 18 simulating a green. These holes may be numbered consecutively from 1 to 9, as illustrated in FIG- URE 1.

As best shown in FIGURE 2, the game board comprises a base 2( on which is mounted a playing surface 22. Figure 12 is rotatably mounted at the lowest point of the playing surface. The playing surface slopes upwardly in all directions from this lowest point. The slope is not regular, however, and therefore causes the ball to move erratically as it moves over the playing surface. Further, the green area 18 slopes downwardly to each hole 14 in the vicinity thereof in order that a ball propelled onto the green with such velocity as not to over-run the green, moves by the force of gravity into the hole 14. The greens may be covered with a green material "24. Beneath each hole is a conduit 26 of such size and disposition as to admit a ball after it enters the hole. Each conduit then slopes downwardly from the hole and is open at its lower end onto the playing surface 22. Each green is sufficiently elevated from the lower portions of the playing surface that a ball may drop into the conduit and roll ever downwardly, yet come out onto the playing surface above its lowest portion. Thus, a ball propelled by the operator from the lowest point of the playing surface may go up onto a green 18, enter a hole 14, pass through a conduit 26, and return to the lowest point without further action by the operator.

As shown in greater detail in FIGURES 3, 4 and 5, the figure 12 is mounted on a circular tee base 28, simulating a golfing tee, which fits in a circular recess 30 in the playing surface and on a shoulder 32 of the playing surface. The circular base itself is inclined upwardly in all directions from a lowest point, at which is located a slight depression or dimple 34. Thus, by gravity the ball always returns to the dimple 34, which thus forms a ball support upon which the ball is teed. The figure is in two parts, the lower part 36 of the figure includes two leg members 38 and 4t} rigidly attached to the base 23 at point spaced equally from the axis of rotation of the tee base. The top of the lower part of the figure is a circular plate 42, with a circular hole 44 through its center. The upper part 4-6 of the figure is rotatably mounted upon the lower part; the upper part has a circular lower plate 48 with a shaft 56 extending downwardly from its center. The shaft 54) fits into the hole 44 and is additionally supported by bearing 52 attached to the underside of the plate 42. A plate 54 is attached to the lower end of the shaft 50 and keeps the shaft 5% in the hole 44 and bearing 42, thereby retaining plate 48 substantially in engagement with plate 42. Both of these plates 42 and 48 are of the same diameter so that when the upper part of the figure is rotated on shaft 50 the upper and lower parts always merge smoothly together. The upper part of the figure includes two arms 56, to which is attached a simulated golf stick 58 having a club head 60. The figure is disposed so that movement of the upper part 4-6 of the figure, relative to the lower part 36 and the tee base 28, causes the club head to pass closely over the ball support 34, thereby striking any ball that may be resting therein.

Movement of the upper part 46 of the figure relative to the lower part 36 is effected by pulling down upon a linkage 62 which may be a cord. The linkage 62 is attached at its upper end to plate 54 at some lateral distance from the axis of rotation of the shaft 50, and which extends downwardly through the right leg 40 of the figure 12. At its lower end the linkage is attached to one end of a lever 64. The lever is pivotally mounted at its other end on a bracket 66 which is rigidly attached to the circular tee base 28. The lever is mounted so that it passes through the axis of rotation of the circular base. Coaxially with the axis of the circular base, the lever 64 is pivotally connected to a second lever 70 by a pin 68 so that the lever 64 and 79 are free to rotate relative to each other about the axis of plate 28, yet when lever 70 is depressed, the pin 68 transmits force to lever 64, thereby depressing lever 64. Thus the means for moving the lever 70 can be mounted on the base 29 of the game board 10' while permitting the figure 12 to be rotated relative to the game board. Lever 7 i pivotally mounted on a bracket 72 which is rigidly afiixed to the underside of the game board. The end of lever 71 remote from the figure 12, comprises a cam follower '74 against which is disposed a cam surface 76 on the end of a lever '78. Lever 78 is pivotally mounted on a bracket 80 which is also rigidly mounted on the underside of the game board 16. Lever 78 extends outwardly through the base 20 of the game board 1% and terminate in a button 82, which is adapted to be manually depressed by the operator to propel the ball.

As shown best in FIGURE 4 a relatively soft spring 84 extends through the left leg 38 of the figure 12. It is connected at' its upper end to plate 54 at some lateral distance from the axis of the rotation of the shaft 50 on the other side of the axis from the point at which the linkage 62 is attached. The spring 84 is connected at its lower end to the tee base 28. It may be connected to the tee base through the intermediacy of some part of the lower part of the figure. In either event the lower end of the spring 84 moves with the movement of the tee base. The spring 84 acts to bias the upper part 46 in the direction of a golf back swing. Thus, when no substantial force is applied to cord 62 the upper part 46 of the figure moves golf stick 58, and its attached club head 60, to the back of the golfers back swing, into position to strike a ball supported on tee support 34. The spring is relatively soft so that the ball may then be propelled by manual depression of the button 82, which moves cam 76 upwardly against cam follower 74, in turn pulling down pin 68 and lever 64, which pulls down linkage 62 and rotates the upper part 46 of the figure with its attached golf stick 58 and club head 69. The club head 66 strikes the ball 16 and propels it from the tee support 34 up and onto the playing surface 22. If the figure 12 is properly oriented and the ball is struck with the proper force, the ball will move upwardly onto a green 18 and into a hole 14. Guide plates 83 and 85 keep the spring 84 and the cord 62 in position and limit their motion and hence the relative motion of the upper part 46 of the figure 12.

The manner in which the circular tee base 28 and its attached figure 12 are rotated are best understood by reference to FIGURES 2, 3, and 6. As shown in FIG- URE 3 a circular flange 86 extends downwardly from the circular base 28. A rim 88 is attached to the flange 86 below the shoulder '32 and serves to keep the tee base 28 in place. Kim 88 has a' number of teeth 90 aflixed thereto. A series of mating teeth 92 are mounted on an annulus 94. In assembling the device, the teeth 92 are mounted between and above teeth 90. A cord 96 passes between the two rows of teeth. Preferably the cord is somewhat iarger than the space between the rows of teeth so that it must follow a tortuous path. The inner surfaces of the teeth slope outwardly so as to permit free motion of the cord as it enters and leaves the rows of teeth. Thus the cord is firm ly held by the teeth against longitudinal movement relative to the teeth, yet is free to move away from the teeth as the cord is moved, and the base 23 and the teeth 99 and 92 are rotated. The cord 96 is an endless cord. It passes around the periphery of the rim 88 as best shown in FIGURE 5, and then passes around a wheel 98 (FIGURE 2) rotatably mounted on a shaft 100 in a bearing 102, which is rigidly attached to the game board on its periphery. The wheel 98 has teeth 194 a ranged in two rows similar to the arrangement for the tee base. The teeth are staggered so-that the teeth of one row are adjacent the spaces between teeth of the other row. It is more important in this case that the cord be larger than the space between the rows of teeth than was the case with the teeth 90 and 92, for the wheel 98 is of smaller diameter than rim 88, and hence the cord 96 does not engage the wheel 98 over so large an area. Since the tension in the cord is the same both at the tee base and at the wheel '98, the cord would tend to slip more at the wheel 98 where the area is smaller, were it not that the cord Winds tortuously between the rows of teeth 104, thereby gripping the cord against longitudinal movement relative to the wheel 98. The cord 96 should be kept in tension in order that the cord stay firmly in its position adjacent the respective teeth. This may be achieved by the elasticity of the material of which the cord is made. The wheel 98 may be rotated by a manually operable knob 106 which is rigidly attached to the shaft 100.

The game may be played, as in golf, by determining which player is able to propel the ball into a hole, or all of the holes, in the fewest strokes. The player first manipulates the knob 106 so as to orient the figure 12 in the desired direction. He thereupon depresses button 82 with such force as he may select. The club head 60 thereupon propels the ball 16 at a rate depending upon how hard the operator depressed the knob 82. If the figure 12 is properly oriented, and the ball is propelled with the proper force, the ball will fall into the proper bole. Should the figure be improperly oriented, or the ball propelled too rapidly or too slowly, the ball will miss the hole and return to the ball support 34, whereupon the player may try again with a different orientation or a different ball velocity. The player keeps trying until the ball falls in the proper hole, with the number of tries being the players score for that particular hole.

So it goes from hole to hole until the last one. As shown in FIGURE 7, beneath the hole 14 in the last green, there is a lever 108 pivotally mounted by pivot 112 on the game board. A weight 110 on the other side of a pivot 112 biases the lever 10S upwardly beneath the hole 14. The lever 108 is part of a bell crank having an arm 114, on which is mounted a hook 116. A simulated trophy 118 is mounted on a plate 120 in a receptacle 122 mounted beneath the game board near the last hole and open at the top. The plate 120 is fastened to a spring 124 mounted on the bottom of the receptacle 122. When the spring is depressed the plate 120 moves downwardly into engagement with the hook 116, thus preventing the spring from moving the trophy upwardly. Upon entry of the ball 16 into the hole'14 of the ninth green, lever 1% moves arm 114, and hook 116 is disengaged from the plate 120, thereby permitting the spring 124 to elevate the trophy 1-18 to the surface of the game board. This up ward movement is limited by a stop 126 attached to the plate 120 by a rod 128 through a hole in .the bottom of the receptacle 122. Thus the player first to complete the course is rewarded with the appearance of the trophy.

As mentioned above, certain obstacles. are placed at various points about the game board so that the ball is not so easily propelled into the proper hole, thus adding interest to the game. In addition to irregularities in the playing surface 22, there may be obstacles, such as tunnel 130 enroute to the first hole, chute 132 enroute to the fifth hole, and bridge 134 enroute to the eighthhole.

As illustrated in FIGURE 8, a paddle Wheel 136 may be disposed on the playing surface adjacent the downhill end of a conduit 26, from one or more of the holes 14.

i This paddle wheel is moved by the ball 16 as it returns from the conduit to the ball support 34.

The bridge 134 is illustrated in greater detail in FIG- URE 9. As shown in FIGURE 9, the bridge is pivotally mounted on a bracket 138 attached to the playing surface 22. The longer and heavier part of the bridge is nearer the ball support, and hence normally rests against the playing surface ready to receive a ball The ball may then run up the bridge. When it passes the pivot point of the bridge to the point where the ball is indicated by dashed lines, its weight causes the bridge to pivot and discharge the ba l upon the green.

In FIGURE is illustrated the chute 132, which provides a means for jumping the ball over a bunker 140 guarding the green, the travel of the ball being illustrated by arrowed and dashed lines.

While a particular embodiment of the game has been shown and described, it should be understood that various structural modifications may be made, and that the invention is limited only by the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Game means for playing a game simulating golf, wherein a ball is propelled under the guidance of a player into successive holes, said game means comprising base means defining a playing surface sloping generally upwardly in all directions from a lowest point generally in the center thereof, said playing surface having a plurality of h les therein disposed in different directions all around said lowest point, said playing surface sloping generally downwardly to each of said holes in the vicinity thereof, and said playing surface including obstacles to the passage of the ball from said lowest point along said playing surface to various ones of said holes; a plurality of conduits through which the ball may pass afi'ixed to said base means below said playing surface, each of said conduits sloping downwardly from one of said holes, each of said conduits being open at its upper end to receive the ball passing into the respective one of said holes, and each of said conduits being open at its lower end to discharge the ball onto said playing surface; and a ball propelling mechanism rotatably mounted on said base means at said lowest point of said playing surface, said ball propelling mechanism including means for striking the ball with a force determined by the player, and means under the control of the player for directing the means for striking.

2. Game means for playing a game simulating golf, wherein a ball is propelled under the guidance of a player into successive holes, said game means comprising base means defining a playing surface sloping generally upwardly in all directions from a lowest point generally in the center thereof, said playing surface having a plurality of holes therein disposed in difierent directions all around said lowest point, said playing surface sloping generally downwardly to each of said holes in the vicinity thereof, and said playing surface including obstacles to the passage of the ball from said lowest point along said playing surface to various ones of said holes; a plurality of conduits through which the ball may pass affixed to said base means below said playing surface, each of said conduits sloping downwardly from one of said holes, each of said conduits being open at its upper end to receive the ball passing into the respective one of said holes, and each of said conduits being open at its lower end to discharge the ball onto said playing surface.

3. Game means as setforth in claim 2, in which one of said holes has associated therewith an element which is movable in response to entry of a ball into said hole to visibly indicate such entry to the player.

4. Game means as set forth in claim 2, including means associated with at least one of said holes and operable to indicate entry of a ball into said hole, said means comprising a trophy which is supported by said base means for movement between a first position below said playing surface and a second position above said playing surface, and means connected with said trophy for effecting movement thereof from said first position to said second position in response to entry of a ball into said hole.

5. Game means as set forth in claim 2, including means associated with one of said holes to indicate entry of a ball into said hole, said means comprising a trophy, a housing receiving said trophy and disposed in said base means below said playing surface, a movable cover for the top of said housing, means supporting said trophy in a manner aifording vertical movement thereof relative to said housing, said trophy supporting means including a spring biasing said trophy toward a position projecting out of said housing above said playing surface, and latch mechanism connectable with said spring means to compress the latter and thereby maintain said trophy within said housing, said latch mechanism including an element projecting into said hole and operable in response to engagement by a ball entering the hole to release said spring and move said trophy upwardly to said projecting position.

6. Game means for playing a game simulating golf, wherein a ball is propelled under the guidance of a player into successive holes, said game means comprising base means defining a playing surface sloping generally upwardly in all directions from a lowest point generally in the center thereof, said playing surface having a plurality of holes therein disposed in different directions all around said lowest point, said playing surface sloping generally downwardly to each of said holes in the vicinity thereof, and said playing surface including obstacles to the passage of the ball from said lowest point along said playing surface to various ones of said holes; a plurality of conduits through which the ball may pass affixed to said base means below said playing surface, each of said conduits sloping downwardly from one of said holes, each of said conduits being open at its upper end to receive the ball passing into the respective one of said holes, and each of said conduits being open at its lower end to discharge the ball onto said playing surface; and a ball propelling mechanism rotatably mounted on said base means at said lowest point of said playing surface, said ball propelling mechanism comprising circular tee means having a lowest point capable of receiving the ball, said tee means being rotatably mounted on said base means substantially flush with said playing surface for rotation about a vertical axis, a figure resembling a golfer, said figure having two parts pivotally connected together for relative rotation about a figure axis disposed at substantial angles with respect to both the vertical and the horizontal, the lower part of said figure having two legs rigidly afiixed to said tee means and extending upwardly therefrom, and the upper part of said figure having arms with a stick attached thereto, said stick having a club head at the remote end thereof, said club head passing closely over said lowest point of said tee means when said upper part of said figure is rotated about said figure axis whereby said club head strikes any ball resting at said lowest point of said tee means, spring means biasing said upper part of said figure in one direction of rotation about said figure axis; a linkage extending through one of said legs and connected at its upper end to said upper part of said figure at a point spaced laterally from said figure axis, means connected to said linkage at its lower end for moving said linkage to move said upper part of said figure in the direction of rotation about said figure axis opposite to said one direction and means for rotating said tee means about said vertical axis, under the control of the player.

7. A ball propelling mechanism for playing a game simulating golf, wherein the ball is propelled under the guidance of a player into successive holes in a playing surface, said ball propelling mechanism comprising tee means having a ball support, said tee means being rotatably mounted on a base means for rotation about a verti c-al axis; a figure resembling a golfer, said figure having two parts pivotally connected together for relative rot-ation about a figure axis disposed at substantial angles with respect to both the vertical and the horizontal, the lower part of said figure having two legs rigidly afiixed to said tee means and extending upwardly therefrom, and the upper part of said figure having two arms with a stick attached thereto, said stick having a club head at the remote end thereof, said club head passing closely over said ball support when said upper part of said figure is rotated 1 in the direction of rotation about said figure axis opposite to said one direction; and means for rotating said tee means about said vertical axis, under the control of the player.

8. A ball propelling mechanism for playing a game simulating golf, wherein a ball is propelled under the guidance of a player into successive holes in a playing surface, said ball propelling mechanism comprising tee means having a ball support, said tee means being rotatably mounted on a base means for rotation about a vertical axis; a figure resembling a golfer, said figure having two parts pivotally connected together for relative rotation about a figure axis disposed at substantial angles with respect to both the vertical and the horizontal, the lower part of said figure having two legs extending upwardly from said tee means and rigidly afiixed to said tee means at points spaced from said vertical axis, and the upper part of said figure having two arms with a stick attached thereto, said stick having a club head at the remote end thereof, said club head passing closely over said ball support when said upper part of said figure is rotated about said figure axis whereby said club head strikes any ball resting on said ball support; spring means biasing said upper part of said figure in one direction of rotation about said figure axis; a cord extending through one of said legs and connected at its upper end to said upper part of said figure at a point spaced laterally from said figure axis; a lever pivotally attached at one end to the underside of said tee means and passing through said vertical axis, said cord being attached at its other end to said lever; force transmitting means pivotally connected to said lever on said vertical axis for applying force vertically to said lever while permitting pivotal motion of said lever about said vertical axis; means connected to said base means for applying force to said force transmitting means; and means for rotating said tee means about said vertical axis under the control of the player.

9. A ball propelling mechanism for playing a game simulating golf, wherein a ball is propelled under the guidance of a player into successive holes in a playing surface, said ball propelling mechanism comprising tee means having a ball support, said tee means being rotatably mounted on a base means for rotation about a vertical axis; a figure resembling a golfer, said figure having two parts pivotally connected together for relative rotation about a figure axis disposed at substantial angles with respect to both the vertical and the horizontal, the lower part of said figure having two legs extending upwardly from said tee means and rigidly affixed to said tee means at points spaced from said vertical axis, and the upper part of said figure having two arms with a stick attached thereto, said stick having a club head at the remote end thereof, said club head passing closely over said ball support when said upper part of said figure is rotated about said figure axis whereby said club head strikes any ball resting on said ball support; a relatively soft spring extending through one of said legs and connected at its upper end to said upper part of said figure at a first point spaced laterally from said figure axis and connected at its lower end to said tee means; a cord extending through the other of said legs and connected at its upper end to said upper part of said figure at a second point spaced laterally from said figure axis on the opposite side of said figure axis from said first point; a lever pivotally attached at one end to the underside of said tee means and passing through said vertical axis, said cord being attached at its other end to said lever; force transmitting means pivotally connected to said lever on said vertical axis for applying force vertically to said lever while permitting pivotal motion of said lever about said vertical axis; means connected to said base means for applying'forceto said force transmitting means; and means for rotating said tee means about said vertical axis under the control of the player.

10. A ball propelling mechanism for playing a game simulating golf, wherein a ball is propelled under the guidance of a player intosuccessive holes in a playing surface, said ball propelling mechanism comprising tee means having a ball support, said tee means'being rotatably mounted on a base means forrotation about a vertical axis, a figure resembling a golfer, said figure having two parts pivotally connected together for relative rotation about a figure axis disposed at substantial angles with respect to both the'vertical and the horizontal, the lower part of said figure having two legs rigidly affixed to said tee means and extending upwardly therefrom, and the upper part of said figure having two arms with a stick attached thereto, said stick having a club head at the remote end thereof, said club head passing closely over said lball support when said upper part of said figure is rotated about said figure axis whereby said club head strikes any ball resting on said ball support; spring means biasing said upper part of said figure in one direction of rotation about said figure axis; a linkage extending through one of said legs and connected at its upper end to said upper part of said figure at a point spaced laterally from said figure axis; means connected to said linkage at its lower end for moving said linkage to move said upper part of said figure in the other direction of rotation about said figure axis; and means for rotating said tee means about said vertical axis, said means'including a first circular member rigidly attached to said tee means with the center of said circular member on said vertical axis, a continuous cord in engagement with the periphery of said circular member, a second circular member having teeth on its periphery, said cord passing tortuously between successive teeth thereof, and means for positioning said second circular member under the control of the player.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Great Britain Dec. 27, 1928 

